The University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine interview format

The University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, at the Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, does not publish the structure of its interview. The AAMC's MSAR report for the 2027 class says invitations are sent by email or phone beginning in the last two weeks of November, that interview candidates are required to bring a portfolio documenting research, community service, leadership and scholarly activities, and that virtual interviews are accepted from November 1 to March 15. It does not say how many interviews there are, how long they last or who conducts them.

The school's own MD program page links a requirements document (revised July 2026) that fills in several rules: "A candidate without a portfolio will not be interviewed," and "once you receive an interview invitation, you must confirm by replying to the email with your interest within 48 hours of receipt, or the interview slot will be given to another candidate."

Item	What UPR and the AAMC say
Format and length	Not published
Invitations	By email or phone, starting the last two weeks of November (MSAR)
Setting	Virtual interviews accepted November 1 to March 15 (MSAR); in-person option not described on the pages we found
Portfolio	Required by December 1: a personal statement and evidence of research, community service, leadership, shadowing and scholarly activities
Reply deadline	Confirm interest within 48 hours of the invitation
Letters	Three from current professors on the school's own form; letters through AMCAS and committee letters are not accepted
MCAT	Taken no later than September 30, 2026; scores below 495 not considered

Deadlines and filing

The checklist for 2026-27 says the UPR application opens September 1, 2026, and both AMCAS and the UPR Medical Sciences Campus application (with a $30 fee for Puerto Rico residents per the requirements document) must be complete by December 1, 2026. Courses and requirements must be met by May 31, 2027. Those who are not Puerto Rico residents must show strong ties, defined as meeting two of four categories (birthplace, high school, college, parents' legal residence).

Selection and personal characteristics

The requirements document says the Admissions Committee screens applicants by a formula, with academic performance, MCAT and non-academic factors, "After an initial screening of all other selection factors, the Admissions Committee will determine which candidates will be invited for a personal interview." It lists the personal characteristics evaluated through letters of recommendation and interviews: maturity, motivation, reliability, creativity, perseverance, sensitivity towards others and resiliency.

Language

The same document says the curriculum is conducted in English and Spanish and "patient interactions are nearly always conducted in Spanish," so demonstrated fluency in speaking, reading and writing both languages is required. It does not say which language the interview uses, so prepare to answer in either.

How to prepare for the UPR interview

Build the portfolio first. No portfolio, no interview, and it is due December 1 with a personal statement.
Watch your email and phone. You have 48 hours to reply to an invitation.
Prepare in two languages. Practice your core stories in English and Spanish.
Know the seven characteristics. Have a story for maturity, motivation, reliability, creativity, perseverance, sensitivity toward others and resiliency.
Know your portfolio cold. The portfolio is the likely basis for questions on activities.

UPR practice questions (written by us, not the University of Puerto Rico)

UPR does not publish its interview questions. We wrote these around the characteristics it lists. Keep each answer to about two minutes.

Why do you want to be a physician?
Why the University of Puerto Rico?
Tell me about a time you showed perseverance.
Describe a time you were reliable when it was difficult.
What is one creative solution you came up with to a problem?
Tell me about a time you showed sensitivity toward someone who was struggling.
Describe a time you handled a setback with resiliency.
Walk me through one item in your portfolio and what you learned.
How would you explain a diagnosis to a patient in Spanish in simple terms? (Give your answer in whichever language you prefer.)
What do you think is the most pressing health challenge facing Puerto Rico?

For a wider set, see our practice questions with answers guide and our MMI practice and preparation guide.

A drill for a bilingual interview

Ask a partner to interview you for 30 minutes using your portfolio as the guide.
Switch to Spanish for half of the questions, or do a second mock interview in the other language.
Record your three most important stories in both languages.
Practice an answer to the Puerto Rico health question with two specific facts.
Practice a calm reply to an invitation within 48 hours: check email daily during the window.

If you don't have a practice partner, Confetto's AI mock interviews ask follow-up questions based on what you actually said and give rubric-based feedback afterward. The question bank has over 500 questions, and you can start with a 7-day free trial.

UPR interview FAQ

What format is the UPR School of Medicine interview?

UPR does not publish the format. MSAR says only that invitations go out in late November and that virtual interviews are accepted from November 1 to March 15.

Is a portfolio required?

Yes. The school says a candidate without a portfolio will not be interviewed; it is due December 1.

How fast must I reply to an invitation?

Within 48 hours, or the slot is given to another candidate.

Do I need to be fluent in Spanish?

The school requires demonstrated fluency in English and Spanish.

Are AMCAS letters accepted?

No. The school's documents say letters submitted through AMCAS and committee letters are not accepted, and require three professor letters on its own form.

Applying to other schools in Puerto Rico too? See our guides to the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine and Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine interviews, or our medical school interview prep page.

Sources: UPR School of Medicine MD program (requirements and checklist documents), AAMC MSAR interview procedures (2027).

Confetto isn't affiliated with the University of Puerto Rico. Everything here about the school comes from its public admissions pages and the AAMC MSAR report, checked in October 2026. Formats can change between cycles, so go by your invitation email.